KNICKS 101

February 20 the New York Knicks lost to an inferior New Jersey Nets team.  The Nets shot the ball lights out from behind the arc.  Deron Williams played like a man sick of questions about how Jeremy Lin outplayed him in the previous meeting between the franchises on February 4.  April 18, the next time the teams meet, it will be Anthony Morrow who plays with  a grudge after losing teeth in the fourth quarter Monday afternoon.

Despite the Knicks having more talent the Nets were in the closing moments of a 100-92 point win over New York when an elbow connected with Anthony Morrows face.  The elbow came from none other than Carmelo Anthony.  Carmelo showed a lot of rust in the game after returning to action after sitting out with an injury.  His frustration was very visible.

With 1:15 left in the game, Morrow had four teeth knocked out by the impact of Carmelo's elbow.  Morrow grabbed the rebound but was called for a traveling violation as he walked to the bench while still holding the ball.  No foul was called.

Morrow had two temporary teeth after losing them January 6 in Toronto against the Raptors.  Those two teeth were knocked out again by Carmelo.  Morrow was scheduled to visit the dentist Tuesday afternoon to replace those temporary teeth before eating Carmelo's elbow.  After Carmelo removed his temps for him, along with an additional two teeth, Morrow saw the dentist Tuesday morning instead.

Christopher Hunt of ESPN reports the game was played physically by both teams from start to finish.

But the game increasingly became physical under the basket. On one play in the third quarter, Humphries (14 points, 14 rebounds) was tangled with Chandler in the paint, positioning for a rebound, and appeared to push him to the ground. Anthony took exception and poked out his leg to trip Humphries as he went downcourt, and was called for a technical.

"It happens in the course the game," said Anthony, who went 4-for-11 with 11 points, six assists and six turnovers in his first game back from a right groin strain. "It happens. I made a mistake and tripped him."

Tripping is one thing and throwing and elbow is another.  The elbow was likely inadvertent but that did not stop Morrow from pointing towards Carmelo as Nets head coach Avery Johnson and his assistants urged Morrow to remain near the bench.  

Fortunately the game was nearly over and an ugly scrap was avoided.  However, it's safe to say this rivalry will only become more hard fought as the Nets transition from New Jersey to Brooklyn.  This matchup will be interesting to watch moving forward.

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